Hallowmas

From October 31st to November 2nd we experience the Holy Triduum of Hallowmas. These three days of All Hallow’s Eve (aka Hallowe’en), All Saints’ Day (aka All Hallow’s Day), and All Souls’ Day make up the Triduum of Hallowmas. The nights lengthen and the weather becomes cooler. Autumn is in the air.

The macabre decorations of Halloween remind us of the dead, of those who have gone before. We see skulls, skeletons, graves, cobwebs, etc. It is no accident that these images are associated with Hallowe’en. In this three day spread we remember the saints, we remember those who have gone before. We remember on whose shoulders we stand. We call to mind those people who have made a way where there seemed to be no way.

Hallowmas represents the time in our liturgical year when we remember the dead, especially the saints, the martyrs, and those who we knew who were faithful believers. We take time to honor the saints and to pray for recently departed souls.